Brutal!

Rating: 7/10 (21 March 2003)

*mild spoilers*
Being out of the movie going habit for a few months, i returned to my passion with a very brutal movie. And i mean brutal in all acceptance of the word, from the mere harsh to the extreme ruthless and cruel experience of the senses. (ok, maybe not all the senses, but having a zombie bite your head off in the movie theater might be going a bit too far)
Danny Boyle was not a stranger to me, met him first with the cult movie "Trainspotting", and then with the disappointing "the beach", but i still had not lost hope on him, and watching this movie was a complete delight. The intense atmosphere, the beautiful images full of desolation and the dark tint of the film that creeps our spine is something to surely put you in awe. There were also some interesting views about human nature under pressure and hoplessness.
The way the movie was shot and composed came as a surprise. When i entered the room, i wasnt quite sure of what i was going to see, if just another post-apocalyptical story or some zombie hunting film. But the surprise was for the best, i found myself grasping for air during some really scary parts. And i dont mean scary because of the horror, blood or suspense, i mean scary for the knowledge in the back of head that what i was watching could happen. And ok, having a half-dead mob running towards you with some very hungry instincts, screaming like mad can be pretty scary too.. (keep an ear for the sound, the soundtrack is brilliant and appropriate and the sound effects, well, creepy to say the least..)
Technically, the movie was brilliantly constructed, the fast shutter speed gave the movie a new dimension where every detail, every move had a new meaning, we could see the rain drops falling, or the blood drops rising from the slashed bodies in beautiful texture and perfection. This shutter detail added a new depth, made it more frightening and "real" , if i may dare to call it that.
For the perfectionist mind, the script might have some holes (and it did), and its not close to being original, but i guess we cant make a script water proof in a little over two hours without neglecting the whole point of a film, right?
Just go watch it, "28 days later" is a movie that doesnt leave anyone indifferent.